The three paper rings magic trick is a dramatic magician's trick that can fool even the smartest of audiences when done well.

Steps

Method1

Assembling The Three Rings

1

Find a suitable piece of newspaper. A full sized traditional newspaper is the best choice.

2

Cut six strips all the way across the paper. Make the strips about the width of your thumbnail.

3

Tape or glue the ends of two strips together so that they turn into one long strip.

Repeat with the remaining strips. You will end up with three long strips.

4

Cut a 1- 2 inch (2.5-5cm) slit in the middle of one end of each strip.

5

Take one strip and tape the two ends together. This should form a ring or a loop. Do not cover the slit!

6

Take another strip, but before you tape the ends together, give it a half twist.

7

Take the last strip. Before you tape the ends to it, give it a full twist.

Paint the rings if you wish, but be careful not to close up the slits with the paint.

Method2

Perform the Trick

1

Take the first ring and ask the audience what they think will happen when you cut it in half down the middle around the whole ring. They will say that two rings will be made.

2

Cut the ring in half by putting your scissors in the slit and cutting all the way around the ring, turning it into two rings, thus proving your audience correct.

3

Say that they were correct. Then tell them that you will say a magic word and change the outcome. Ask them what will happen when you cut the second ring in half, just as you did with the first ring. This is patter, to distract their attention from the actual rings you're working with.

4

Say your magic word. Cut the second ring in half, just as you cut the first ring.

Listen to your audience gasp when you finish cutting because, instead of the rings they expected, the ring will have turned into one big ring.

5

Take your last ring, say the magic word again, and let someone from the audience cut this time to prove that you are "magic". The end result of their cutting will be two rings that are linked.

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Tips

Practice this trick several times before you actually perform in front of an audience. Practice in front of a mirror so that you can see how your hands work the trick and how to better fool the audience.

Try to distract the audience's attention away from the strips as you perform the trick. Don't let them notice the twists you've put in.

Using long rings of newspaper helps hide the twists - so don't use a small-sized page.

Color-code or identify the strips in some way, so you know which sequence to cut them in. You may color about 2-3 inches of each, in a different color. Or just take note of the photos or print on the newspaper.